Poultry cutter

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for automatically sectioning poultry into a predetermined number of pieces comprising a pair of cutting blades for severing the wings, a pair of cutting blades for severing the breast and legs, a cutting blade for splitting the poultry into two pieces and a cutting blade for severing the thighs from the ribs whereby the poultry is sectioned into nine pieces. A first embodiment utilizes a carriage attached to conveyor chains for moving poultry past the cutting blades, and a second embodiment is vertically aligned to allow gravity to move the poultry past the cutting blades. Another embodiment includes a mechanism for folding the severed wing portions.

United States Patent Duncan et al.

[ 1 Feb. 8, 1972 POULTRY CUTTER [22] Filed: Aug. 21, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 66,038

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.777,990, Nov. 8, 1968, abandoned, Continuation-in-part of Ser. No.682,955, Nov. 14, 1967, abandoned.

[52] U.S.Cl ..l7/11, 17/52 [51] Int. Cl ..A22c 21/00 [58] FieldofSearch..17/11,45,52

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,807,046 9/1957 Hebenheimerl 7/1 1 2,957,198 10/1960 Ciancioloetal ..l7/l1 3,564,644 2/1971 Cannon..l7/ll Primary Examiner-Lucie H. Laudenslager AttorneyChristen & Sabol[5 7] ABSTRACT Apparatus for automatically sectioning poultry into apredetermined number of pieces comprising a pair of cutting blades forsevering the wings, a pair of cutting blades for severing the breast andlegs, a cutting blade for splitting the poultry into two pieces and acutting blade for severing the thighs from the ribs whereby the poultryis sectioned into nine pieces. A first embodiment utilizes a carriageattached to conveyor chains for moving poultry past the cutting blades,and a second embodiment is vertically aligned to allow gravity to movethe poultry past the cutting blades. Another embodiment includes amechanism for folding the severed wing portions.

PATENTEU FEB 8 I872 3,639,945

SHEET 1 OF 6 O I l :2 70) O II 40 50 Q :1 a? j, -4- O 90 n x 52 50 .98:76// 3, o I04 46 7 42 I A My 22 A y 72 48 r f Hli'rm'h- INVENTORSWilliam 0. Duncan Carolyn L Duncan PATENTED FEB 8 I972 SHEET 2 BF 6INVENTORS William 0 Duncan Carolyn 1. Duncan ATTORNEY PATENTED FEB 81972SHEET 5 OF 6 F/GJZ FIG/3 POULTRY CUTTER The present application is acontinuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 777,990 filedNov. 8, 1968, now abandoned, of William D. Duncan and Carolyn L. Duncan,which is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 682,955 of William D. Duncanand Carolyn L. Duncan, filed Nov. 14, 1967, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to cutting or sectioning poultry and moreparticularly to apparatus for automatically cutting or sectioningpoultry into any desired number of sections.

In the past any food store, restaurant, carryout or any wholesalepurveyor of poultry had to cut its poultry by hand, and this is a timeconsuming process. Furthermore, cutting poultry by hand necessarilyinvolves irregular cuts due to the human element involved and alsoinvolves a safety hazard. When the above establishments have substantialrequirements for cut poultry, they must c ut the poultry far in advanceof the anticipated sale due to the length of time necessary to cut thepoultry by hand. The poultry may be cut as much as a week in advanceand, along with the disadvantages of irregular cuts and the involvementof considerable time and labor, there is also a disadvantage from ahealth standpoint; in that, the longer the length of time between thecutting of the poultry and its use, the greater the opportunity forbacteria growth in the opened portions of poultry. The opportunity forbacteria growth is enhanced considerably by human handling of thepoultry when it is cut by hand. A further disadvantage to cuttingpoultry by hand is the accumulation of bone dust from the cuts in themeat. Recently, the number of people who cook their meals outside on abarbecue grill or pit has increased considerably and chicken is verypopular for outdoor barbecuing. This need for sectioned chicken alongwith the increasing number of carryout shops specializing in friedchicken, has created a need for a means of fast, efficient and accuratepoultry cutting.

Accordingly, it is object of the present invention to constructapparatus for automatically sectioning poultry into a predeterminednumber of pieces.

A further object of the present invention is to automatically sectionpoultry in a predetermined number of pieces by securing the poultry to aconveyor and moving the poultry past a plurality of cutting blades.

Another object of the present invention is to utilize the force ofgravity to move poultry past a plurality of blades for sectioningpoultry into a predetermined number of pieces.

The present invention has another object in that apparatus forautomatically sectioning poultry is constructed such that the poultryneed only be placed by hand or automatically in the proper position in achute at the top of the apparatus in order to obtain a predeterminednumber of pieces of poultry.

A further object of the present invention is construct apparatus capableof automatically placing poultry in the proper position for sectioningwithout manually positioning the parts of the poultry.

Another object of the present invention is to utilize a carriage tofirmly position poultry to assure accurate sectioning of the poultry.

One of the advantages of the present invention is the speed with whichpoultry may be cut. This speed provides great savings in time and labor,and also reduces the opportunity for bacteria growth in the poultrysince the poultry need not be cut far in advance of its ultimate use.Another advantage is the uniformity of cuts obtained due to the removalof the human error factor. A further advantage of the poultry cutter ofthe present invention is that human handling of the poultry ismaintained at a minimum.

The present invention is generally characterized in apparatus forsectioning poultry into a predetermined number of pieces comprising aplurality of cutting means, guide means connected with the cutting meansfor positioning and supporting the poultry to assure accurate sectioningand means for moving the poultry past the cutting means whereby thepoultry is sectioned.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means arranged inconnection with a set of rotating knives for severing the wings from thebody which will automatically accept the severed wings and fold theminto a compact form for later handling, or for cooking.

Further'objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the description of the preferred embodiments as shown inthe accompanying drawings.

FIG. I is a top view of a first embodiment of a poultry cutter accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 2 is aside view of the poultry cutter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of a carriage for use with thepoultry cutter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the first cut of the poultry by the poultrycutter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the second and third cuts of the poultry by thepoultry cutter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the fourth cut of the poultry by the poultrycutter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an enclosure for use with the secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. is an elevational side view of poultry cutting apparatus accordingto the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is anelevational front view of the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a front elevation of a modification, which includes means foraccepting the severed wings and folding them.

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of the mechanism shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary view of the folding mechanism on an enlargedscale as viewed from the line l2l2 of FIG. ll.

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 12, showing the completed foldingoperation, and;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the control system for the foldingmeans.

A first embodiment of a poultry cutter according to the presentinvention is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, which are top and side views,respectively. The cutting and guiding apparatus of the poultry cutter issupported by a frame having a pair of front legs 10, a pair of rear legs12, an intermediate longitudinal member 14 attached at one end to frontleg 10 on one side of the frame and at its other end to rear leg 12 onthe same side of the frame, and a similar intermediate longitudinalmember is attached at one end to front leg 10 on the other side of theframe and at its other end to rear leg 12 on the same side of the frame.A longitudinal member 18 extends across the top of the frame on the sameside as member 14 and has a right-angled extension 20 at the frontthereof and a right-angled extension 22 at the rear thereof. Alongitudinal member 24 extends across the top of the frame on the sameside as member 16 and has a right-angled extension 26 at the frontthereof and a right'angled extension 28 at the rear thereof. Horizontalmembers 30 and 32 are attached to extensions 20 and 26, respectively,and vertical members 34 are attached to extension 22 and 28,respectively. A crossmember 37 is attached to the two front legs 10 at alocation below members 18 and 24, and a crossmember 38 is attached tothe two rear legs 12 at a point below members 18 and 24.

The cutting and guiding apparatus includes a center guide strip 40having a first level at the front of the guide strip and second level atthe rear of the guide strip. The front of guide strip 40 is attached tocrossmember 37 and is curved to accept the poultry smoothly. A narrowedportion of guide strip 40 connects the curved front portion with awidened portion that curves up to the second level which has alongitudinal slot therein and is attached to crossmember 38. Tubularguides 42 and 44 are attached to members 30 and 32, respectively, andextend down and into the center of the poultry cutter. A motor 46 issupported by a right-angled member 48 having its base attached to member14, and a shaft of motor 46 is attached to a rotary cutting blade 50having a shield 52. A motor 54 is supported by a right-angled member 56having its base attached to member 16, and a shaft of motor 54 isattached to a rotary cutting blade 58 having a shield 60. The blades 50and 58 are disposed in a vertical plane and at an angle to guide strip40. An inverted U-shaped member 62 is disposed diagonally across the topof the frame of the poultry cutter and is attached to members 18 and 24at either side. Two motors 64 and 66 are attached to the top of member62 and the shafts of motors 64 and 66 are attached to rotary cuttingblades 68 and 70 having shields 72 and 74, respectively. Blades 68 and70 are disposed in horizontal plane over the second level of guide strip40. A motor 76 is supported by a right-angled member 78 which isattached at its base to member 14 and a shaft of motor 76 is attached toa rotary cutting blade 80 having a shield 82, a U-shaped tubular guide84 and disposed in a vertical plane through the slot in the second levelof guide strip 40. A horizontally disposed platfonn 86 is attached torear legs 12 and supports a motor 88 which has a rotary cutting blade90, having a shield 92, attached to its shaft. Blade 90 is disposed in ahorizontal plane at a level approximately equal to the second level ofguide strip 40, and curved tubular guides 94 and 96, which are attachedto members 34 and 36, respectively, extend into the center of thepoultry cutter on either side of blade 90. Any means of catching thesections of poultry as they are severed, such as baskets 102 or onebasket with chutes leading thereto from the cutting blades, may beplaced under the poultry cutter.

Conveyor chains 98 and 100 run parallel to one another from the front ofthe poultry cutter to the rear thereof and are not shown in a completeloop since any conventional path may be used to complete the loop. Forinstance, the loop may be completed over the top of the poultry cutteror underneath it. In any case, the primary consideration in completingthe conveying loop is the provision of adequate working space to allowpoultry to be successively secured to the conveyor on a plurality ofcarriages and carried through the poultry cutter to cut a maximum numberof poultry within a prescribed time.

The poultry, which is already cleaned and dressed, is secured toconveyor chains 98 and 100 by a carriage 104 shown in the vicinity ofblades 50 and 58 in FIG. 2 and illustrated in detail in FIG. 3. Carriage104 includes a leg clamp 106 and a supporting rod 108-for leg clamp 106which is attached to conveyor chain 98. 104 includes a leg clamp 106 anda supporting rod 108 for leg clamp 106 which is attached to conveyorchain 98. Supporting rod 1 08 has a bottom portion 109 which extendslongitudinally and parallel to conveyor chain 98, an upstanding portion111 which extends diagonally up into the center of the poultry cutter toavoid blades 68, 70 and 80, and a top portion which extends back to legclamp 106. The poultry is inserted tail first on the carriage and issecured thereto by rods 110, 112, 114, 115 and 116 which are attached toconveyor chains 98 and 100. Rods 110 extend in a horizontal plane fromconveyor chains 98 and 100 and are right angled to be inserted betweeneach thigh and the breast of the poultry to hold the skin taut foreasier cuts. Rods 112 extend in a horizontal plane from conveyor chains98 and 100 and are right angled to be inserted into the pelvic girdle ofthe poultry. Rod 114 extends down in a curved manner from conveyor chain100 and a forward extension 115 of rod 109, which is secured to one ofthe transverse horizontal carriage rods which rests on chain 98, isoffset laterally to complement rod 114 support the thighs of thepoultry, and rods 116 extend down into the center of the conveyor in acurved manner to support the back of the poultry and cooperate with rods112 to clamp the poultry and hold it firmly.

FIGS. 4, and 6 are illustrations of the various cuts of the poultry andwill be utilized to aid in the description of the operation of thepoultry cutter of FIGS. 1 and 2.

The poultry enters tail first at the front or right-hand side of thepoultry cutter and is supported only by carriage 104. As the poultryapproaches blades 50 and 58 for the first cut, as shown in FIG. 4, itsback rides up onto the first level of guide strip 40; however, the tailof the poultry is higher than the upper back, and consequently the wingsare extended to facilitate their severance. Guides 42 and 44 assurecorrect positioning of the poultry and its wings, and as the poultry isdrawn past blades 50 and 58 both wings are severed and drop intobrackets 102.

The second and third cuts are shown in FIG. 5 with blades 68 and 70providing the second cut and blade providing the third cut. After thepoultry passes blades 50 and 58 its back rides up onto and is supportedby the second level of guide strip 40 in preparation for the second cut.Due to the back support, leg clamp 104 and rods 114 and 115, the poultryis positioned such that blades 68 and 70 sever the legs from the thighsnear the joints and the breast from the poultry, and the breast and legsdrop into baskets 102. The third cut is accomplished by blade 80 whichsplits the backbone and rib cage of the poultry longitudinally down thecenter, and guide 84 assures a clean split of the halves of the poultry.

The fourth cut is shown in FIG. 6 and is provided by blade 90. After thepoultry is carried past the rear of guide strip 40 there is no backsupport, and the poultry will be supported only by carriage 104 whichallows the neck end of the poultry to swing down. Guides 94 and 96position the poultry for the fourth cut and also keep the halvestogether to assure a more accurate and uniform cut. Blade severs theribs from the thighs and the ribs drop into basket 102 while the thighsmay be freed from carriage 104 by hand or by an obstruction positionedabove the conveyor chains to knock the thighs loose as the carriagepasses.

Shields 52, 60, 72, 82 and 92 or blades 50, 58, 68, 70, 80, and 90 coverall but the cutting edges and prevent meat from laying on the bladesthereby reducing blade wear along with providing cleaner cuts andcleaner meat.

The blades may be adjusted to accommodate varying sized of poultry bymoving blades 50, 58, 68, 70 and 90 along their respective axes toobtain the desired cuts and replacing blade 80 with a larger blade tocleanly split the poultry.

As described above, the poultry has been cut into nine pieces; that is,two wings, two legs, a breast, two ribs and two thighs. However, iffewer or more cuts are desired, blades may be removed or adjusted toobtain the desired number of pieces.

An enclosure or use with a second embodiment of the present invention isillustrated in FIG. 7 and comprises a housing, indicated generally bynumeral 210 and having a hingedly attached front door 224 provided witha transparent window therein in order to pennit viewing of the operationof the poultry cutting apparatus. Below door 224 is a removable panel220 which provides access to the driving means, as will be explainedhereinafter.

An arcuate entrance chute 228extends through top 212 of housing 210 topermit insertion of poultry to be sectioned. Also disposed on top 212 isan electrical switch 230 for controlling the operation of the cuttingblades for the poultrycutting apparatus. Two cantilevered shelves 232and 234 are hingedly disposed and vertically spaced on side 216 ofhousing 210 for storage purposes and also for permitting access toentrance chute 228, and shelves 232 and 234 may be folded against side216 when not in use. Side 218 has an opening 236 therein foraccommodating poultry pieces discharged from the interior of housing210, and any suitable means may be disposed under the exit chutes tocatch the sectioned pieces of poultry.

In operation, the operator of the poultry cutter places cleaned anddressed poultry at entrance chute 228 in a predescribed position andactuates switch 230. The poultry will fall by gravity through housing210 and be sectioned by cutting means therein into two wings, two legs,a breast, two thighs and two ribs. These pieces will exit the housingthrough chutes leading to opening 236 and may be collected in anysuitable means disposed thereunder. Should any pieces of the poultry orthe body of the poultry become stuck in the apparatus for any reason, itmay be detected through door 224 and the problem remedied by opening thedoor and nudging or removing the pieces or body to permit continuedoperation of the apparatus. Poultry may be sectioned at a rate dependentonly upon the speed of passage through the housing of the poultry and,consequently, poultry may be successively positioned at entrance chute228 for successive sectioning.

Apparatus for sectioning poultry into a predetermined number of piecesaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention isillustrated in side elevation in FIG. 8 and front elevation in FIG. 9.

The apparatus is substantially vertically aligned and includes an upper,angled portion 238 which comprises a flat center strip 240 forsupporting the back of the poultry, a pair of parallel rods or wingguides 242 for positioning the wings of the poultry, a pair of parallelrods or thigh supports 246 and 248 for supporting the thighs of thepoultry, a pair of parallel rods or leg guides 250 and 252 forpositioning the legs of the poultry, and a narrow, flat center strip 254or breast guide for guiding the poultry. The upper ends of strips 240and 254 and rods 242, 246, 248, 250 and 252 extend into entrance chute228 so that poultry placed in chute 228 on its back, tail first, willautomatically be correctly positioned and supported by the upper portion238.

A pair of angularly oriented, circular cutting blades 256 and 258 aresymmetrically disposed adjacent wing guides 242, respectively, and arepositioned such that thigh supports 246 and 248 and leg guides 250 and252 do not interfere therewith. A pair of wing chutes 260, only one ofwhich is illustrated, are disposed so as to collect the wings as theyare severed by blades 256 and 258, respectively and deliver the wings toopening 236 in housing 210. Below blades 256 and 258 wing guides 242merge with back support 240 since they are no longer needed, and backsupport 240, thigh supports 246 and 248, leg guides 250 and 252, andbreast guide 254 are offset to the vertical to form a center portion262.

Vertical center portion 262 includes back support 240 which has a slot264 in the center thereof to accommodate a circular cutting blade 266which has its axis disposed horizontally. Center portion 262 furtherincludes parallel thigh supports 246 and 248 and a breast guide 268having a flat shape. Breast guide 254 is bifurcated to form two arms 270and 272 to which is secured a triangular guide 274 opened at one end forguiding the legs of the poultry to a conveyor system. A top supportmember 276 of guide 274 is spaced horizontally from the vertical portionof breast guide 254 by a pair of support members 278 in order to pennitthe legs of the poultry to pass thereunder, and arms 280 and 282 extenddown and inward from the ends of member 276 to assure that the legs ofthe poultry are disposed on either side of a center guide 284 pivotallyconnected with arms 270 and 272 and extending through the center of theconveyor system.

The conveyor system comprises a first pair of vertically disposed,parallel conveyor belts 286 and 288 driven by shafts 290 and 292 and asecond pair of vertically disposed, parallel conveyor belts 294 and 296horizontally disposed from the first pair of conveyor belts. The firstpair of conveyor belts 286 and 288 are disposed directly below the lowerends of leg guides 250 and 252 and spaced from each other to grasp thebody of the poultry at the thighs, and the second pair of conveyor belts294 and 296 are disposed directly below guide arms 280 and 282 andspaced from each other to grasp the legs of the poultry along withcenter guide 284. The second pair of conveyor belts 294 and 296 aredriven at a faster speed than the first pair of conveyor belts 286 and288 to thereby move the legs toward the tail end of the poultry.

A pair of circular cutting blades 298 and 300 are disposed so that theiraxes are horizontal and vertically offset from each other, and blades298 and 300 are positioned between the first and second pairs ofconveyor belts in order to sever the legs from the thighs and the breastfrom the body of the poultry. Center guide 284 is pivotally connectedwith a guide 302 which rides in a chute 304 that has a pair ofsharp-edged feed trays 306 disposed on either side of the conveyorsystem for collecting the severed legs and delivering the legs toopening 236 in housing 210. A chute 300 is disposed below feed trays 306and has a sharp edge 310 for collecting the breast as it is severed fromthe poultry and delivering the breast to opening 236 in housing 210.Circular blade 266 extends above the first pair of conveyor belts to thevertical plane of blades 298 and 300 in order to split the body of thepoultry into two pieces down the center.

A lower portion 312 of the apparatus includes back support 240, thighsupports 246 and 248, and breast guide 268 all of which are curvedlyoffset into vertical segments. Thigh supports 246 and 248 act to holdthe split body of the poultry together; and accordingly a pair ofparallel branches 313 and 314 of thigh supports 246 and 248,respectively, extend vertically in order to hold the body of the poultrytogether after it has been horizontally positioned due to the curvedoffset. A circuit cutting blade 316 has its axis horizontally disposedand is positioned directly below the lower ends of thigh supports 246and 248. A conventional spindle 318 is shown for rotating blade 316, andsuch spindles may be used with all of the above described circularcutting blades. A chute 320 has a sharp edge 322 disposed adjacent blade316 in order to collect the thighs as they are severed from the ribs byblade 316, and the ribs may be collected and delivered to opening 236 inhousing 210 along with the thighs by a chute, not shown, located belowbottom portion 312.

In operation, the poultry is positioned tail first at chute 228 suchthat its back will ride on back support 240, and the poultry then fallsby gravity such that its thighs are supported on thigh supports 246 and248 and its wings hang over wing guides 242 at upper portion 238 of theapparatus.

As the poultry moves past blades 256 and 258, the wings are severed andexit the housing at opening 236 through chute 260, and as the poultryenters center portion 262 from upper portion 238, it is verticallydisposed so that the body of the poultry is grasped at the thighsbetween conveyor belts 286 and 288. The legs are guided between arms 270and 272 of the bifurcated breast guide 254 and legs 280 and 282 oftriangular guide 274 to conveyor belts 294 and 296 which grasp the legswith the aid of center guide 284. Due to the faster speed of conveyorbelts 294 and 296 as compared with the speed of conveyor belts 286 and288, the legs are moved towards the tail end of the poultry in order toposition them for sectioning by .blades 298 and 300. Along with severingthe legs of the poultry from the thighs, blades 298 and 300 also severthe breast of the poultry and the legs and breast are collected anddelivered to opening 236 in housing 210 by chutes 304 and 308,respectively. After passing blades 298 and 300, the body of the poultryis split down the center while still in the grasp of conveyor belts 286and 288 by blade 266.

The split body of the poultry is then changed from a vertical positionas it exits from center position 262 to a horizontal position by thecurved ofi'set portion leading to lower portion 312. Thigh supports 246and 248 clamp the split halves of the poultry together as it slides intothe lower portion 312 of the apparatus and breast guide 268 furtherserves to retain the split poultry in one piece. As the poultry enterslower portion 312, its horizontal position permits the thighs to be cutfrom the ribs by blade 316, and the thighs and the ribs are collectedand delivered to opening 236 in housing 210.

While the operation of the apparatus of the second embodiment of thepresent invention has been explained with manual placement of poultry atentrance chute 228, the apparatus of the present invention may befurther automatically mechanized by utilizing a conveyor belt leading toentrance chute 228 for carrying poultry on its back, tail end first. toentrance chute 228 which permits successive pieces of poultry to besectioned at a rapid rate. This automatic operation is made possible bythe structure of the apparatus which automatically guides and supportsthe poultry as it enters housing 210 to position the poultry for propercuts.

it is desirable to have blades 246, 258 and 266 rotate clockwise orcounterclockwise as shown in FIG. 8 in order not to, in any way, affectthe positioning of the poultry should it be below average size.Similarly, it is desired to have blades 298 and 300 rotatecounterclockwise and clockwise, respectively, as shown in FIG. 9, inorder to bias the poultry towards the center of the apparatus. Due tothe precise placement and sharp edges of the chutes for delivering thesectioned poultry to opening 236 of housing 210, meat is prevented fromlaying on theblades and adversely affecting the accuracy and cleanlinessof the cuts and the sectioned pieces, respectively, and accordingly noblade shields are required.

The apparatus FIGS. 8 and 9 may be secured to enclosure 210 in anyconventional manner as long as the securing means do not interfere withthe path of the poultry through the apparatus.

In order to aid gravity in moving the poultry through the apparatus, itmay be desirable to provide a vibrator connected with the structure ofthe apparatus in order to prevent the poultry and/or sectioned piecesfrom sticking in the apparatus. Similarly, at the curved offset portionleading from center portion 262 to lower portion 312 a wheel may beutilized to drive the split poultry around the curve and into lowerportion 312.

Any conventional drive means may be utilized with the second embodiment.of the present invention and preferably is located beneath theapparatus in enclosure 210, and flexible shafts may be utilized alongwith spindles to rotate the cutting blades and conveyor belts.

As noted with respect to the first embodiment of the present invention,the cutting blades of the second embodiment may be adjustable toaccommodate poultry of varying sizes and blades may be added or removedto section the poultry into a greater or lesser number of pieces.

A further modification of the invention is shown in FIGS. -14, in whicha mechanism for folding a wing after it has been severed by the rotaryblades 256 and 258 of the first cutting means is indicated'generally bynumerals 25 and 25 respectively positioned to the right and left sidesof the two blades, as seen in FIG. 10, each of the two folding means issubstantially identical in construction except for being mirror imagesof each other, therefore only one of them needs to be described indetail.

The wing folding is accomplished by means of a carrier 1 and threecoacting block-shaped members 2, 3 and 4. These four elements aremounted for reciprocating movement adjacent the knife 256 which seversthe wing from the body and are actuated in sequence by means of fluidoperated pistons, indicated respectively as P,, P P and P in FIGS. 10and 11. These pistons are biassed by means of springs, or other means tourge them normally into a first position, at one end of their respectivestrokes, as shown in FIG. 10 and 11, so that in this condition themembers 2, 3 and 4 are spaced apart from each other, as shown in FIG.12. Where fluid under pressure is admitted to each of the pistons, underthe control of means such as a solenoid-operated valve, the pistons areurged to move toward the other end of their respective strokes and whena valve is operated, the respective piston will return its originalposition. Such devices are well known in the art and need not bedescribed in detail as they form no part of this invention as will benow described, the valves which control the pistons may be operated by aseries of switches SW,, SW SW and SW as shown in the schematic diagramof FIG. 14.

As shown in the diagram SW,, SW SW, and SW, normally open switches whichinclude electrically energizeable holding coils which are of the typesuch that when the coils are energized their influence is insufiicientto close the switch but which, once the switch has been closed willremain closed until the holding coil is deenergized; at which time theswitch will reopen. In addition, the circuit includes a normally closedswitch SW for controlling the holding coils for SW SW, and SW, and alatch means 27, which is positioned to restrict movement of element 1until released, and another normally closed switch SW, which controlsthe holding coil of SW,. Switches of this type are all well known in theart.

SW, is positioned adjacent the cutter 256, and is provided with anactuator which will be contacted by a wing as it is severed by thecutter. At that point the carrier 1, which may be in the form of anupright fork, is positioned so that the severed wing falls into thefork. At the same time, the contact of the wing with switch SW, causesit to close and thus energize the solenoid valve 29 for piston P,causing it to move the carrier 1 with the severed wing to the right, asseen in FIG. 1 1, until it is stopped by the normally energized latch 27at the folding station. As the carrier comes into this position itcontacts switch SW to close it and energize solenoid valve 31, causingpiston P, to move folding member 2 up to make the first fold by engagingthe wing with its slanting forward recessed face 33. At the same timemember 2 engages switch SW to close the circuit for solenoid valve 35causes piston P, to move folding member 3 inwardly from the side to movethe wing tip inwardly. This movement, in turn engages the switch SW, toclose the circuit to solenoid valve 37 which causes piston P, to movethe member 4 downwardly to lock the wing in the folded position as shownin FIG. 13.

At this point it should be noted from the diagram of FIG. 14, that sinceboth switches SW, and SW are normally closed, a circuit has beenmaintained from the current source such that the holding coils H,, H Hand H, for the switches SW,, SW SW, and SW, and the actuating solenoid39 for the latch have all been energized during the previously describedoperations. However, when the last piston moves folding member 4 down tolock the wing closed, it engages the switch SW to open it. The result isthat, momentarily, switches SW SW, and SW, return to their openposition, causing the solenoid valves 31, 35 and 37 to close andpermitting the respective pistons to return the folding members 2, 3 and4 to their retracted positions of FIG. l2.'At the same time, latch 27,being also deenergized drops and, because the circuit to holding coil H,for SW,is still closed by switch SW the switch is still holding solenoidvalve 29 open and piston P, moves the carrier 1 to the right, beyondretracted latch 27, until the carrier reaches a position above the chute260, where the folded wing is deposited. Finally, at this point thecarrier 1 engages SW, to open the circuit to holding coil H, and switchSW, is opened to close solenoid valve 29. Once closed, the biassingspring returns the carrier to the position adjacent the cutter 256. Inthis connection, it should be noted that, while switch SW has reclosedas soon as the folding member 4 began its retracting movement upward andthe holding coils for switches SW SW and SW, are now reenergized, theforce of the holding coils is not sufficient to close the open switches,but only sufiicient to hold them closed when closed by externalactuation. In addition, while closure of switch SW .also energizes thesolenoid 39, causing the latch 27 to rise, the rearward surface 41 ofthe latch may be disposed at an angle to cause the latch to be depressedwhen the carrier moves past it from the righthand side. Also, as soon ascarrier 1 begins its return stroke, switch SW recloses to energize theholding coil for switch SW, but, the switch will remain open untilactuated by a succeeding wing severed by the cutter 256, and theabovedescribed cycle of operation will be repeated.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations,modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all matterdescribed in the foregoing specification or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for automatically sectioning poultry into a predeterminednumber of pieces comprising first cutting means; first guide meansdisposed adjacent said first cutting means for positioning the poultrysuch that the wings are severed from the body by said first cuttingmeans; second cutting means; second guide means disposed between saidfirst cutting means and said second cutting means for positioning thepoultry such that the legs are severed from the thighs and the breast issevered from the body and the body is split into two pieces by saidsecond cutting means; third cutting means; and third guide meansdisposed between said second cutting means and said third cutting meansfor positioning the poultry such that the thighs are severed from theribs by said third cutting means.

2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 which includes fourth cuttingmeans and said second guide means includes fourth guide means disposedbetween said first cutting means and said fourth guide means disposedbetween said first cutting means and said fourth cutting means forpositioning the poultry such that the legs and breast are severedrespectively from the thighs and body by said second and third cuttingmeans and for positioning the poultry such that the body is split intotwo pieces by said fourth cutting means.

3. Poultry cutting apparatus comprising in combination, a plurality ofcutting means, conveyor means for moving a poultry body in a guide meansarranged relative to said cutting means to position selected portions ofa poultry body moving on the conveyor means for selectively severing ofthe wings from the body, and thighs from said body; for severing thelegs from the thighs and for severing the breast from the body duringsaid movement.

4. The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein one of said cutting meansis disposed in a plane parallel to and above said conveyor means.

5. The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein one of said cutting meansis disposed in a plane parallel to and below said conveyor means.

6. The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein one of said cutting meansis disposed in a plane transverse to said conveyor means to split thebody into two pieces.

7. The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein said conveyor meansincludes means for securing the poultry to said conveyor.

8. The invention as recited in claim 3 whereby said conveyor meansincludes means secured to said conveyor means for grasping the poultryat its pelvic girdle whereby the poultry is attached to the conveyormeans at one end and the other end is free to move up and down.

9. A poultry cutter comprising a plurality of cutting means; a pluralityof guide means associated with said cutting means to assure proper cuts;means for automatically conveying the poultry past said cutting meanswhereby the poultry is severed into a predetermined number of pieces,said conveying means including conveyor and a carriage secured to saidconveyor having means for grasping the legs of the poultry, means forgrasping the pelvic girdle of the poultry, means for supporting thelower back of the poultry and means for supporting the thighs of thepoultry.

10. A poultry cutter comprising a plurality of cutting means; aplurality of guide means associated with said cutting means to assureproper cuts; means for automatically conveying the poultry past saidcutting means including means securing the poultry to said conveyingmeans whereby the poultry is severed into a predetermined number ofpieces, said guide means including a guide strip having first and secondlevels, and a first one of said cutting means is disposed adjacent saidfirst level of said guide strip whereby the poultry is supported by saidsecuring means and by said first level of said guide strip such that itswings are extended and severed by said first one of said cutting means.

11. The invention as recited in claim wherein a second one of saidcutting means is disposed adjacent said second level of said guide stripwhereby the poultry is supported by said securing means and by saidsecond level of said guide strip such that its breast and legs aresevered by said second one of said cutting means.

12. The invention as recited in claim 11 wherein a third one of saidcutting means is disposed adjacent said second level of nected with saidplurality of cutting means; positioning means for supporting poultry inproper position for sectioning; and means for inserting poultry at thetop of said apparatus whereby poultry moves past said plurality ofcutting means due to the force of gravity; said positioning meansincluding a plurality of rods for supporting the sides of the poultry,said guide means including a plurality of vertically aligned rods, andsaid plurality of cutting means including blade means disposed adjacentsaid plurality of guide rods for severing the thighs from the ribs ofthe poultry.

15. Apparatus for sectioning poultry into a predetermined number ofpieces comprising a plurality of cutting means arranged in asubstantially vertical alignment; guide means connected with saidplurality of cutting means for guiding poultry past said plurality ofcutting means; positioning means for supporting poultry in properposition for sectioning; and means for inserting poultry at the top ofsaid apparatus whereby poultry moves past said plurality of cuttingmeans due to the force of gravity; said positioning means includingfirst conveyor means operating at a first speed for grasping the legs ofthe poultry and second conveyor means operating at a second speed slowerthan said first speed for grasping the body of the poultry, and saidplurality of cutting means including first blade means disposed betweensaid first conveyor means and said second conveyor means for severingthe legs and breast from the poultry and second blade means disposedadjacent said second conveyor means for splitting the poultry into twopieces.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 15 wherein said first conveyormeans includes a pair of conveyor belts disposed in parallel forgrasping the legs of the poultry therebetween, said second conveyormeans includes a pair of conveyor belts disposed in parallel forgrasping the body of the poultry therebetween, and second blade meansincludes a rotary blade extending between said conveyor belts of saidsecond conveyor means.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein said positioning meansincludes a substantially vertically aligned back support having an upperportion angularly oriented and connected with said means for insertingpoultry at the top of said apparatus and said plurality of cutting meansincludes third blade means disposed adjacent said upper portion of saidback support and above said first and second blade means for severingthe wings from the poultry.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said guide meansincludes a plurality of offset rods disposed below said first and secondconveyor means for orienting the body of the poultry in a horizontalposition, said positioning means includes a plurality of rods disposedin parallel with said plurality of guide rods for holding the body ofthe poultry together after the body has been split into two pieces bysaid second blade means, and cutting means disposed below said pluralityof guide rods and said plurality of positioning rods for severing thethighs of the poultry from the ribs.

19. The apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein said guide meansincludes a pair of parallel rods extending downwardly from said meansfor inserting poultry at the top of said apparatus for guiding thethighs of the poultry and a guide strip extending downwardly from saidmeans for inserting poultry at the top of said apparatus or guiding thebreast of the poultry, and said positioning means includes a pluralityof rods extending downwardly from said means for inserting poultry atthe top of said apparatus for positioning the wings of the poultry forsevering by said third blade means.

20. Poultry cutting apparatus comprising in combination, a plurality ofcutting means, conveyor means for moving a poultry body relative to saidcutting means, guide means arranged to position selected portions of apoultry body moving on the conveyor means for selectively severing ofthe wings from the body, and thighs from said body; for severing thelegs from the thighs and for severing the breast from the body duringsaid movement, and means to fold the wings severed by said cuttingmeans.

21. The invention defined in claim 20, wherein said means to fold thewings includes a plurality of members positioned adjacent said cuttingmeans for movement converging on a wing.

22. The invention defined in claim 21, wherein said members arepositioned for reciprocatory movement toward and away from a wing.

23. The invention defined in claim 22, wherein said means to fold a wingincludes at least three members, each of said three members beingmovable in a path generally normal to the path of movement of the othertwo members.

24. The invention defined in claim 23, wherein one of said three membersis movable from a position at said cutting means to receive a severedwing to another position said two other members being positioned toconverge on said wing at said another position.

25. The invention defined in claim 24, wherein said means to fold a wingincludes a fourth member movable toward and away from said wing at saidanother position.

26. The invention defined in claim 24, wherein said one member ismovable to a further position to release a folded wing.

27. Apparatus for preparing poultry for cooking comprising means forsevering the wing portion from a poultry carcass, means to receive afolded wing portion, and means to fold automatically a severed wingportion and to deliver said folded wing portion to said receiving means.

28. The invention defined in claim 27, wherein said means to fold asevered wing portion includes can'ier means to position a severed wingportion and a plurality of elements mounted for coacting movement towardand away from a wing portion when positioned by said carrier means.

29. The invention defined in claim 28, wherein at lemt one of saidplurality of elements is reciprocatorily movable in a straight line.

30. The invention defined in claim 28, wherein said carrier means ismovable between a first position to accept a severed wing portion and asecond position to deliver the wing portion to said receiving means.

31. The invention defined in claim 30, wherein said carrier means isalso movable to an intermediate position for cooperation with saidfolding means.

1. Apparatus for automatically sectioning poultry into a predeterminednumber of pieces comprising first cutting means; first guide meansdisposed adjacent said first cutting means for positioning the poultrysuch that the wings are severed from the body by said first cuttingmeans; second cutting means; second guide means disposed between saidfirst cutting means and said second cutting means for positioning thepoultry such that the legs are severed from the thighs and the breast issevered from the body and the body is split into two pieces by saidsecond cutting means; third cutting means; and third guide meansdisposed between said second cutting means and said third cutting meansfor positioning the poultry such that the thighs are severed from theribs by said third cutting means.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1which includes fourth cutting means and said second guide means includesfourth guide means disposed between said first cutting means and saidfourth cutting means for positioning the poultry such that the legs andbreast are severed respectively from the thighs and body by said secondand third cutting means and for positioning the poultry such that theboDy is split into two pieces by said fourth cutting means.
 3. Poultrycutting apparatus comprising in combination, a plurality of cuttingmeans, conveyor means for moving a poultry body in a guide meansarranged relative to said cutting means to position selected portions ofa poultry body moving on the conveyor means for selectively severing ofthe wings from the body, and thighs from said body; for severing thelegs from the thighs and for severing the breast from the body duringsaid movement.
 4. The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein one ofsaid cutting means is disposed in a plane parallel to and above saidconveyor means.
 5. The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein one ofsaid cutting means is disposed in a plane parallel to and below saidconveyor means.
 6. The invention as recited in claim 3 wherein one ofsaid cutting means is disposed in a plane transverse to said conveyormeans to split the body into two pieces.
 7. The invention as recited inclaim 3 wherein said conveyor means includes means for securing thepoultry to said conveyor.
 8. The invention as recited in claim 3 wherebysaid conveyor means includes means secured to said conveyor means forgrasping the poultry at its pelvic girdle whereby the poultry isattached to the conveyor means at one end and the other end is free tomove up and down.
 9. A poultry cutter comprising a plurality of cuttingmeans; a plurality of guide means associated with said cutting means toassure proper cuts; means for automatically conveying the poultry pastsaid cutting means whereby the poultry is severed into a predeterminednumber of pieces, said conveying means including a conveyor and acarriage secured to said conveyor having means for grasping the legs ofthe poultry, means for grasping the pelvic girdle of the poultry, meansfor supporting the lower back of the poultry and means for supportingthe thighs of the poultry.
 10. A poultry cutter comprising a pluralityof cutting means; a plurality of guide means associated with saidcutting means to assure proper cuts; means for automatically conveyingthe poultry past said cutting means including means securing the poultryto said conveying means whereby the poultry is severed into apredetermined number of pieces, said guide means including a guide striphaving first and second levels, and a first one of said cutting means isdisposed adjacent said first level of said guide strip whereby thepoultry is supported by said securing means and by said first level ofsaid guide strip such that its wings are extended and severed by saidfirst one of said cutting means.
 11. The invention as recited in claim10 wherein a second one of said cutting means is disposed adjacent saidsecond level of said guide strip whereby the poultry is supported bysaid securing means and by said second level of said guide strip suchthat its breast and legs are severed by said second one of said cuttingmeans.
 12. The invention as recited in claim 11 wherein a third one ofsaid cutting means is disposed adjacent said second level of said guidestrip whereby the poultry is split in half by said third one of saidcutting means.
 13. The invention as recited in claim 12 wherein a fourthone of said cutting means is disposed away from said guide strip wherebythe poultry is supported by said securing means such that the thighs aresevered from the ribs by said fourth one of said cutting means. 14.Apparatus for sectioning poultry into a predetermined number of piecescomprising a plurality of cutting means arranged in a substantiallyvertical alignment; guide means connected with said plurality of cuttingmeans for guiding poultry past said plurality of cutting means;positioning means for supporting poultry in proper position forsectioning; and means for inserting poultry at the top of said apparatuswhereby poultry moves past said plurality of cutting means due to theforce of gravity; said positioning means including a plurality of rodsfor supporting the siDes of the poultry, said guide means including aplurality of vertically aligned rods, and said plurality of cuttingmeans including blade means disposed adjacent said plurality of guiderods for severing the thighs from the ribs of the poultry.
 15. Apparatusfor sectioning poultry into a predetermined number of pieces comprisinga plurality of cutting means arranged in a substantially verticalalignment; guide means connected with said plurality of cutting meansfor guiding poultry past said plurality of cutting means; positioningmeans for supporting poultry in proper position for sectioning; andmeans for inserting poultry at the top of said apparatus whereby poultrymoves past said plurality of cutting means due to the force of gravity;said positioning means including first conveyor means operating at afirst speed for grasping the legs of the poultry and second conveyormeans operating at a second speed slower than said first speed forgrasping the body of the poultry, and said plurality of cutting meansincluding first blade means disposed between said first conveyor meansand said second conveyor means for severing the legs and breast from thepoultry and second blade means disposed adjacent said second conveyormeans for splitting the poultry into two pieces.
 16. The apparatus asrecited in claim 15 wherein said first conveyor means includes a pair ofconveyor belts disposed in parallel for grasping the legs of the poultrytherebetween, said second conveyor means includes a pair of conveyorbelts disposed in parallel for grasping the body of the poultrytherebetween, and said second blade means includes a rotary bladeextending between said conveyor belts of said second conveyor means. 17.The apparatus as recited in claim 16 wherein said positioning meansincludes a substantially vertically aligned back support having an upperportion angularly oriented and connected with said means for insertingpoultry at the top of said apparatus and said plurality of cutting meansincludes third blade means disposed adjacent said upper portion of saidback support and above said first and second blade means for severingthe wings from the poultry.
 18. The apparatus as recited in claim 17wherein said guide means includes a plurality of offset rods disposedbelow said first and second conveyor means for orienting the body of thepoultry in a horizontal position, said positioning means includes aplurality of rods disposed in parallel with said plurality of guide rodsfor holding the body of the poultry together after the body has beensplit into two pieces by said second blade means, and cutting meansdisposed below said plurality of guide rods and said plurality ofpositioning rods for severing the thighs of the poultry from the ribs.19. The apparatus as recited in claim 18 wherein said guide meansincludes a pair of parallel rods extending downwardly from said meansfor inserting poultry at the top of said apparatus for guiding thethighs of the poultry and a guide strip extending downwardly from saidmeans for inserting poultry at the top of said apparatus or guiding thebreast of the poultry, and said positioning means includes a pluralityof rods extending downwardly from said means for inserting poultry atthe top of said apparatus for positioning the wings of the poultry forsevering by said third blade means.
 20. Poultry cutting apparatuscomprising in combination, a plurality of cutting means, conveyor meansfor moving a poultry body relative to said cutting means, guide meansarranged to position selected portions of a poultry body moving on theconveyor means for selectively severing of the wings from the body, andthighs from said body; for severing the legs from the thighs and forsevering the breast from the body during said movement, and means tofold the wings severed by said cutting means.
 21. The invention definedin claim 20, wherein said means to fold the wings includes a pluralityof members positioned adjacent said cutting means for moVementconverging on a wing.
 22. The invention defined in claim 21, whereinsaid members are positioned for reciprocatory movement toward and awayfrom a wing.
 23. The invention defined in claim 22, wherein said meansto fold a wing includes at least three members, each of said threemembers being movable in a path generally normal to the path of movementof the other two members.
 24. The invention defined in claim 23, whereinone of said three members is movable from a position at said cuttingmeans to receive a severed wing to another position said two othermembers being positioned to converge on said wing at said anotherposition.
 25. The invention defined in claim 24, wherein said means tofold a wing includes a fourth member movable toward and away from saidwing at said another position.
 26. The invention defined in claim 24,wherein said one member is movable to a further position to release afolded wing.
 27. Apparatus for preparing poultry for cooking comprisingmeans for severing the wing portion from a poultry carcass, means toreceive a folded wing portion, and means to fold automatically a severedwing portion and to deliver said folded wing portion to said receivingmeans.
 28. The invention defined in claim 27, wherein said means to folda severed wing portion includes carrier means to position a severed wingportion and a plurality of elements mounted for coacting movement towardand away from a wing portion when positioned by said carrier means. 29.The invention defined in claim 28, wherein at least one of saidplurality of elements is reciprocatorily movable in a straight line. 30.The invention defined in claim 28, wherein said carrier means is movablebetween a first position to accept a severed wing portion and a secondposition to deliver the wing portion to said receiving means.
 31. Theinvention defined in claim 30, wherein said carrier means is alsomovable to an intermediate position for cooperation with said foldingmeans.